Words to know
The world of IoT connectivity is filled with technical terms and industry jargon—but understanding them shouldn't be a challenge. We believe in making things simple and clear, so this glossary is here to help.
Understanding IoT connectivity, global SIMs, and telecom infrastructure can be challenging, especially when selecting providers or managing deployments across multiple regions.
This glossary defines essential terms in cellular IoT, eSIM, iSIM, APNs, and data pooling. Whether you are a CTO, connectivity engineer, or product leader, rely on this guide to make informed and efficient decisions for secure, scalable IoT deployment.
5G is the next evolution in mobile network technology, delivering faster data speeds, lower latency, and increased capacity compared to previous generations. Designed to support a growing number of connected devices, 5G enables seamless communication for IoT solutions, smart cities, and advanced business operations. With ultra-reliable, high-speed connectivity, businesses can leverage 5G to enhance productivity, improve automation, and enable real-time applications like remote monitoring, augmented reality (AR), and autonomous systems. This technology offers the infrastructure needed for digital transformation across industries, empowering companies to innovate, optimize processes, and stay competitive in an increasingly connected world. 5G operates across low, mid, and high-frequency spectrum bands, offering unique advantages for different use cases, such as coverage, speed, and ultra-low latency.
The Core Network consists of multiple systems that facilitates different telecommunication services. It manages subscribers, voice, data, and messaging services. It connects users to the internet, mobile, or landline networks, while handling tasks like authenticating users, routing calls, and ensuring security. Think of it as the “brain” of the telecom network, ensuring smooth and reliable communication.
A data pool is a shared collection of data that multiple devices within your organisation can access. Think of it like a family plan for data, where all your active SIMs can pull from the same source, but with much more flexibility and control. Instead of individual data limits for each SIM, they all share one large pool of data.
What is eSIM?
An eSIM consists of a small chip (eUICC) soldered directly onto a device's circuit board during manufacturing, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards. For IoT deployments, eSIMs enable remote SIM provisioning and carrier switching without physical access to devices, significantly reducing operational costs and deployment time. This technology is particularly valuable for global IoT deployments, allowing businesses to manage their entire device fleet through a single platform while maintaining local connectivity options worldwide.
Order your IXT Global SIM here.
LTE, commonly referred to as 4G, is a high-speed mobile network technology that delivers faster data speeds and lower latency than its predecessors. In IoT, LTE supports bandwidth-intensive applications like video surveillance, industrial automation, and remote equipment monitoring. Its widespread availability makes it ideal for IoT solutions requiring reliable, high-speed connectivity across urban and suburban areas.
Think of a private APN like a closed network, where connected devices can communicate securely. Access to external systems/servers is limited and only allowed if configured.
For IoT deployments, private APNs enable businesses to isolate their device traffic from public networks, implement custom security policies, and maintain direct control over data routing. This infrastructure is particularly crucial for sensitive applications like industrial automation, healthcare monitoring, or financial services where data security and network reliability are paramount.
SASE combines network and security functions into a cloud-based service that enables secure connectivity for IoT devices regardless of their location. In B2B IoT deployments, SASE provides unified security policies, threat protection, and network optimisation across your entire device fleet, ensuring consistent security standards whether devices are connecting through cellular networks, Wi-Fi, or other connectivity options. This architecture is particularly valuable for businesses managing large-scale IoT deployments where devices need secure access to cloud services and enterprise applications from various locations and network types.
SASE combines network and security functions into a cloud-based service that enables secure connectivity for IoT devices regardless of their location. In B2B IoT deployments, SASE provides unified security policies, threat protection, and network optimisation across your entire device fleet, ensuring consistent security standards whether devices are connecting through cellular networks, Wi-Fi, or other connectivity options. This architecture is particularly valuable for businesses managing large-scale IoT deployments where devices need secure access to cloud services and enterprise applications from various locations and network types.
SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) is a small removable chip that stores key information like the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and encryption keys, enabling devices to connect to cellular networks. There are five main form factors for physical SIM cards: Full-Size (FF1), Mini-SIM (FF2), Micro-SIM (FF3), Nano-SIM (FF4), and Embedded SIM (MFF2). Over time, SIM cards have become smaller, offering hardware advantages like more space for other components. Each SIM type can operate with different software: ICC, UICC, or eUICC.
A UICC (Universal Integrated Circuit Card) is a multi-application smart card platform featuring an integrated circuit with processing capabilities, multiple memory types (NVRAM, ROM, RAM), and standardised security architecture that enables interoperability across 3G, 4G, and LTE networks. It serves as the foundational hardware for various subscriber identity modules (USIM, CSIM, ISIM), allowing secure authentication and global network compatibility through a unique identifier while providing scalable storage capacity from 256KB to over 1GB for both network authentication data and user applications.
RSP is an umbrella term for various GSMA standards for remote SIM provisioning:
M2M: SGP.02
Consumer: SGP.22
IoT: SGP.32
RSP technology makes it possible to swap operator/subscription without replacing the physical SIM card.
What is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates an encrypted tunnel for IoT devices to securely communicate with enterprise networks and cloud platforms across public internet connections. In IoT deployments, VPNs provide an additional layer of security by encrypting device data transmission, preventing unauthorised access, and ensuring sensitive information remains protected as it travels between devices and your core systems. This technology is particularly important for IoT applications handling sensitive data or requiring secure remote management capabilities, such as industrial control systems, healthcare devices, or financial transaction terminals.
